Bag filling device

ABSTRACT

A device for quickly and easily filling bags with sand, dirt, or other particulate material that is operable by a single individual. The device is adapted to decrease the amount of energy exerted by individuals in filling such bags. The device may also be constructed in a collapsible manner for ease of transportation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of devices for filing bags with particulate matter. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sandbag filling apparatus that is manually operable without the need for motors or electricity.

2. Background of Related Art

Sandbags are typically used to control flooding and/or to shore up saturated earth and to diverge water. Plastic or burlap bags are filled with sand and stacked to form a water barrier that prevents flooding or movement of the saturated earth. In emergency situations, filling sandbags is particularly a problem because it generally requires extensive manpower and time. Currently, workers or volunteers typically fill sandbags manually using shovels either by dumping the sand directly from the shovel into the sandbags. Such a method of filling sandbags is very inefficient because it requires one person to keep the bag open for the other person to fill. Further, spillage frequently occurs due to the sand falling off the shovel and onto the ground. These inefficiencies combine to make using shovels to manually fill sandbags with sand an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. Also, the continuous lifting of shovels full of saturated earth quickly drains the worker's energy.

In addition, often the area at flood risk is located in a remote area making the power driven solution a difficult one to initiate. Delivering bulky and heavy motorized equipment to flooded or saturated areas is a daunting task. Further, providing electricity or fuel in a flood damaged area provides its own problems.

Accordingly, in light of the current state of the related teachings, there is a need for device that fills bags with particulate in a non-motorized, yet energy conserving, fashion. There remains a need for a device that is of simple and inexpensive construction and which provides quick and reliable loading and filling of bags. Preferably, such a device can be operated by a single user so as to provide more filled containers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general aspect of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of existing devices.

It is another aspect of the invention to provide a cost-efficient bag-filling device in both operation and manufacture.

It is aspect of the invention to provide a bag-filling device that is durable and portable.

It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a stem engaging device that provides for aeration of the toes.

In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a unique device for filling bags with particulate matter is disclosed wherein it can be operated in remote locations without the need for electricity or motorized engine. The device also reduces the amount of energy exerted by an individual in carrying out the task of filling the bags. In one preferred embodiment, the device may be collapsed or disassemble into a compact shape for transportation.

Such stated aspects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other aspect, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the disclosure, the word “exemplary” is used exclusively to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference character(s) present corresponding part(s) throughout:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective illustration of a preferred embodiment of a bag-filling device in an upright position from the front end thereof;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective partial illustration of the bag-filling device from the front end thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective partial illustration of the bag-filling device from the back-end thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the bag-filling device in a tipped or dispensing position;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the bag-filling device in a tipped or dispensing position with a bag positioned thereon;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the bag-filling device in an upright position with the bag positioned thereon;

FIG. 7 is a partial side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag-filling device showing the disassembly of the scoop member;

FIG. 8 is a partial side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag-filling device further illustrating the disassembly of the scoop member;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag-filling device illustrating the disassembly of the first and second arms for transport;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag-filling device assembled for transport.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized.

FIGS. 1 through 9 are exemplary illustrations of a bag-filling device 100 having a scoop member 101 with a body 112 defining a forward opening 110 and a distal rearward opening 111, wherein particulate matter travels from the forward opening 110, through body 112 and out of the rearward opening 111. In a preferred embodiment, body 112 is curved such that forward opening 110 may be inserted into particulate matter (such as sand) and is maintained within body 112 until device 100 is tilted and particulate matter is gravitationally expelled through rearward opening 111. Forward opening 110 may be defined by a substantially planar bottom edge 112 and a top edge 104 interconnected by a first side edge 106 and a second side edge 108.

A first frame member 114 a and a second frame member 114 b retain scoop member 101 thereon such that when device 100 is in an upright position, bottom edge 102 travels in a substantially parallel manner with a floor or ground. First frame 114 a and second frame 114 b members run along the length of scoop member 101 on respective sides of first side edge 106 and second side edge 108. At a predetermined point proximal to rearward opening 111, a rigid member 124 interconnects first frame 114 a and second frame 114 b members.

In order to ease the movement of the device, a first wheel 122 a and a second wheel 122 b are attached to opposing ends of the elongated rigid member 124. To further ease the movement of the device, a first caster 120 a and a second caster 120 b may be located on first frame 114 a and second frame 114 b, respectively. Although casters 120 a and 120 b are illustrated, it is to be understood that wheels that do not pivot may be substituted therefor.

A first arm 128 a and a second arm 128 b extend from members 114 a and 114 b, respectively. A first handle 130 a and a second handle 130 b may be attached to a distal point on said respective arms 128 a and 128 b to allow for easier grip by a user. Handles 130 a and 130 b are substantially semi arced. Arms 128 a and 128 b are preferably curved inwardly such that handles 130 a and 130 b extend back over rigid member 124. In this form, the fulcrum is located at rigid member 124 and the position of handles 130 a and 130 b allows a user to tip the device backwards with the exertion of less force. Although in other preferred embodiments the arms 128 a and 128 b may be located rearward of the rigid member 124. A first foot rest 126 a and 126 b are provided proximal to rigid member 124, such that a user places the bottom of one foot on either footrest 126 a or 126 b and pulls handles 130 a and 130 b backwards and towards the ground.

Now referring specifically to FIGS. 3 to 5, a first protrusion 132 a and a second protrusion 132 b extend from arms 130 a and 130 b, respectively. Protrusions 132 a and 132 b allow the device to rest on the ground when it is tipped over in a particulate dispensing position. An elongated bar 136 may extend between footrests 126 a and 126 b to provide for greater rigidity. It is to be understood that although two arms (128 a and 128 b) are illustrated herein, that the invention may be modified to work with only one arm without departing from the essence of the invention. When two arms 128 a and 128 b are used, however, a substantially “U” shaped bracing member 134 may be attached therebetween at a point distal to said handles 130 a and 130 b.

To allow for efficient dispensing of particulate matter into a bag 140, which may be plastic or fabric material, a retainer 116 is provided at the rearward opening 111. Retainer 116 may be made of two rods that are built into arc shapes and crisscross one another at an apex thereof. The rigid retainer 116 maintains bag 140 in an open position such that particulate matter can easily be poured therein when the device 100 is in a tipped over position. After the bag 140 is filled with particulate matter, device 100 can be lifted back into its upright position while the filled bag 140 is left on the ground. The user can then quickly apply an empty bag 140 over retainer 116, which is maintained in place until another particulate load is picked up by the scoop member 101 and the device 100 tilted again to dispense the particulate matter into bag 140. Although it is preferred that two crisscrossing rod members be used to define rigid retainer 116, it is to be understood that one arced rod may also serve the same function in an alternate preferred embodiment.

Now referring to FIGS. 7 through 9, in one preferred embodiment, scoop member 101 is removably, yet securely, attached to frame members 114 a and 114 b via a first locking member 118 a and a second locking member 118 b. First and second locking members 118 a and 118 b may be, for purposes of illustration but not limitation, a threaded engaging member such as a bolt and butterfly nut. Further, a leading member 142 extends between frame members 114 a and 114 b at a front end thereof and interconnects the same. A lip 144 extends rearwardly from leading member 142 and is adapted to securely, yet removably, engage top edge 104 of scoop member 101. When locking members 118 a and 118 b are disengaged, top edge 104 slides out from its secure engagement with lip 144.

Arms 128 a and 128 b may also be adapted to disengage from frame members 114 a and 114 b. Arms 128 a and 128 b can be adapted to have a first frontal region 148 a and a second frontal region 148 b located at an end distal to said handles 130 a and 130 b. A first component 146 a and a second component 146 b extend backwards from frame members 114 a and 114 b, respectively, at a point distal to said leading member 142. First frontal region 148 a and second frontal region 148 b are adapted to attach to first 146 a and second 146 b components, respectively, via first engaging member 138 a and second engaging member 138 b. Engaging members 138 a and 138 b may be threaded members with a mating bolt.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art.

It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.

In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.

In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. 

1. A device for filling bags with particulate matter, comprising: a scoop member having a body defining a forward opening and a distal rearward opening with passage therebetween; a frame member carrying said scoop member such that the forward opening receives particulate matter therein as the device is moved forward; at least a first arm extending in a curved manner from said frame member such that a handle region of said arm extends back over the scoop to allow the scoop member to be easily tilted backwards to dispense the particulate matter; a bag covering the rearward opening such that the particulate is received in said bag when the device is tilted backwards.
 2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bag is not attached to the scoop by use of a latch apparatus.
 3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a retainer positioned over the rearward opening maintains the bag in an open position, yet the retainer is extractable after the bag has been filled with the particulate matter.
 4. The device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the retainer is an arced rod that extends over the rearward opening.
 5. The device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the retainer comprises two arced rods that crisscross one another at their apex and are positioned over said rearward opening.
 6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a first wheel and a second wheel are located on both sides of the scoop member and proximal to the rearward opening to allow easier maneuvering of the device.
 7. The device as set forth in claim 6, wherein a first caster and a second caster are located on both sides of the scoop member and are positioned forwardly in relation to first and second wheels.
 8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the scoop member is securely yet removably attached to the frame member to allow for disassembly during transportation.
 9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first arm is securely yet removably attached to the frame member to allow for disassembly during transportation.
 10. A device for filling bags with particulate matter, comprising: a scoop member having a body defining a forward opening and a distal rearward opening with passage therebetween; a frame member carrying said scoop member such that the forward opening receives particulate matter therein as the device is moved forward; at least a first arm extending in a curved manner from said frame member such that a handle region of said arm extends back over the scoop, whereby a fulcrum point is located behind the handle region to allow the scoop member to be easily tilted backward; a bag covering the rearward opening such that the particulate is received in said bag when the device is tilted; and a retainer positioned over the rearward opening and maintains the bag in an open position, yet the retainer is extractable after the bag has been filled with the particulate matter.
 11. The device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the scoop member is curved between the forward opening and the rearward opening.
 12. The device as set forth in claim 10, wherein a retainer positioned over the rearward opening maintains the bag in an open position, yet the retainer is extractable after the bag has been filled with the particulate matter.
 13. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the retainer comprises two arced rods that crisscross one another at their apex and are positioned over said rearward opening.
 14. The device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the scoop member is securely yet removably attached to the frame member and the first arm is securely yet removably attached to the frame member to allow for disassembly during transportation.
 15. A device for filling bags with particulate matter, comprising: a scoop member having a body defining a forward opening and a distal rearward opening with passage therebetween; a first frame member and a second frame member carrying said scoop member therebetween, such that the forward opening receives particulate matter therein as the device is moved forward; a first arm extending in a curved manner from said first frame member and a second arm extending in a curved manner from said second frame member such that a first and second handle region of said arms extends back over the scoop, whereby a fulcrum point is located behind the handle regions to allow the scoop member to be easily tilted backward; a bag covering the rearward opening such that the particulate is received in said bag when the device is tilted; and a retainer positioned over the rearward opening and maintains the bag in an open position, yet the retainer is extractable after the bag has been filled with the particulate matter, whereby the device does not require a latch apparatus.
 16. The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the retainer comprises two arced rods that crisscross one another at their apex and are positioned over said rearward opening.
 17. The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the body of the scoop member is curved to allow for retention of the particulate matter in an upright position and to allow for easy dispensation of the particulate matter when the device is tipped backwards.
 18. The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein a first wheel and a second wheel are located at the fulcrum point on the respective first frame and second frame.
 19. The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the device is weighted and balanced to remain in an unloading position when the device is tipped backwards.
 20. The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein when the bag is filled with particulate when the device is tipped backwards, the filled bag remains standing upright on the ground when the device is returned to its upright position. 